Principal Network Engineer

Collins Aerospace; California; On-site; USD 87,000 - 165,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision insurance

3 weeks vacation

401(k) matching

Job summary

Collins Aerospace seeks a Principal Network Engineer to design, secure, and maintain scalable networks at Beale AFB, CA. You will manage LAN/WAN, cloud networking, and security protocols while coordinating with cybersecurity teams.

The role requires active TS/SCI clearance and NIST-8570 certifications, with 5+ years in enterprise networking and a STEM background. Onsite work with competitive benefits is provided.

Qualifications

• Active DoD Top Secret/SCI clearance required with ability to obtain SAP after start
• Active certification per NIST-8570 (Security+, CCNA/CCNP/CISSP, etc.)
• Experience with networking fundamentals (TCP/IP, DNS, DHCP, VLANs, VPNs)
• Experience with enterprise network hardware/software (Cisco, Juniper, Palo Alto)
• Experience configuring/managing firewalls, routers, switches
• STEM degree or Advanced STEM degree with 3+ years experience

Responsibilities

• Design, secure, and maintain LAN/WAN and cloud networking
• Configure, monitor, troubleshoot switches, routers, firewalls
• Implement and manage network security protocols (encryption, IDS, firewalls)
• Administer virtualized networks (SD-WAN, hybrid cloud)
• Monitor network performance for high availability and reliability
• Maintain Cisco/Juniper configs, VLANs, and routing
• Perform upgrades, patches, firmware updates
• Develop and maintain network diagrams and docs
• Collaborate with cybersecurity teams to implement security measures
• Provide root-cause analysis for complex network issues
• Support CDS integration and sustainment in secure environments

Skills

Security clearance

Networking expertise

Documentation skills

LAN/WAN knowledge

Education

STEM degree

Tools

Cisco devices

Juniper devices

Palo Alto

Ansible

Python

VMware

Hyper-V

Job description

Date Posted: 2026-09-15

Country: United States of America

Location: US-CA-BEALE-AFB-CUST ~ 7400 Spencer Paul Dr ~ BEAL AFB (External Site)

Position Role Type: Onsite

U.S. Citizen, U.S. Person, or Immigration Status Requirements: Active and transferable U.S. government issued security clearance is required prior to start date. U.S. citizenship is required, as only U.S. citizens are eligible for a security clearance

Security Clearance Type: TS/SCI - Current

Security Clearance Status: Active and existing security clearance required on day 1

Raytheon Company, Managed by Collins Aerospace

At RTX, the world's largest aerospace and defense company, 185,000 great minds are united by purpose and inspired to make a difference solving the world’s most complex problems. With our three market leading businesses, world-class operations and investments in research and development, we offer capabilities and opportunity no one else can. Together, we push the boundaries of known science and find new ways to connect and protect our world.

Collins Aerospace is a leader in technologically advanced, intelligent solutions that help redefine the aerospace and defense industry. With a comprehensive portfolio and deep technical expertise, we help customers meet the demands of the global market. Join us and help shape the future of aerospace and defense.

Collins Aerospace is seeking a Principal Network Engineer to support the design, implementation, administration, and maintenance of secure and scalable network environments. This position supports the Common Mission Control Center (CMCC) program, located at Beale AFB, CA.

What You Will Do

• Design, secure, and maintain network infrastructures, including Local Area Networks (LAN), Wide Area Networks (WAN), and cloud-based networking solutions
• Configure, monitor, and troubleshoot switches, routers, firewalls, and other network appliances
• Implement and manage network security protocols, including encryption, intrusion detection, and firewalls
• Administer and optimize virtualized network environments, including SD-WAN and hybrid cloud solutions
• Perform network monitoring and analysis to ensure high availability, reliability, and performance of services
• Maintain Cisco & Juniper network configurations, VLANs segregation, and static routing
• Conduct system upgrades, patches, and firmware updates on network equipment
• Develop and maintain detailed network documentation, including diagrams, configurations, and procedure
• Collaborate with cybersecurity teams to implement and maintain network security measures
• Provide technical expertise for troubleshooting and resolving complex network issues, including root cause analysis
• Support integration and sustainment of cross-domain solutions (CDS) in secure environments

Qualifications You Must Have

• Active and transferable DoD Top Secret / SCI U.S. government issued security clearance is required prior to start date with the ability to obtain SAP clearance and access after start
• Active certification to comply with NIST-8570 (e.g., Security+, CCNA, CCNP, CISSP, etc.)
• Experience with networking fundamentals, including TCP/IP, DNS, DHCP, VLANs, and VPNs
• Experience with enterprise-grade network hardware and software (e.g., Cisco, Juniper, Palo Alto, or similar)
• Experience configuring and managing firewalls, routers, and switches
• Typically requires a degree in Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics (STEM) and minimum 5 years prior relevant experience or an Advanced Degree in a related field and minimum 3 years of experience

Qualifications We Prefer

• Experience with network automation tools (e.g., Ansible, Python)
• Knowledge of virtualization technologies (e.g., VMware, Hyper‑V, or KVM) and their integration into network environments
• Experience with monitoring tools such as SolarWinds, Splunk, or Wireshark.
  Familiarity with Software-Defined Networking (SDN) and Network Function Virtualization (NFV)
• Knowledge of enterprise wireless networking solutions and troubleshooting.
  Experience with configuring and deploying network solutions in classified environments
• Familiarity with cybersecurity tools and processes, including ACAS, HBSS, and STIG compliance
• Strong understanding of cross‑domain solutions and secure information transfer protocols
• Excellent communication and documentation skills to support technical processes and documentation
• Ability to work collaboratively in a dynamic, team-oriented environment while meeting tight deadlines.

What We Offer:

Some of our competitive benefits package includes:

• Flexible work weeks: 9/80A, 5/40; Flexible work Hours: Core hours, Modified time

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance

• Three weeks of vacation for newly hired employees

• Generous 401(k) plan that includes employer matching funds and separate employer retirement contribution, including a Lifetime Income Strategy option

• Tuition reimbursement program

• Student Loan Repayment Program

• Life insurance and disability coverage

• Optional coverages you can buy pet insurance, home and auto insurance, additional life and accident insurance,critical illnessinsurance, group legal, ID theft protection

• Birth, adoption, parental leave benefits

• Ovia Health, fertility, and family planning

• Adoption Assistance

• Autism Benefit

• Employee Assistance Plan, including up to 10 free counseling sessions

• Healthy You Incentives, wellness rewards program

• Doctor on Demand, virtual doctor visits

• Bright Horizons, child and elder care services

• Teladoc Medical Experts, second opinion program

• And more!

Onsite: Employees who are working in Onsite roles will work primarily onsite. This includes all production and maintenance employees, as they are essential to the development of our products.

Collins Aerospace makes modern flight possible. Of course, that wouldn’t be possible without the capabilities and technologies of our organization, as well as our engineers – a highly skilled, accomplished network that spans more than 180 sites, 24 countries and 6 Strategic Business Units (SBUs).

Our industry-leading experts are setting the standards for the aerospace industry and paving the way for the future. But as new challenges present themselves, we need fresh, creative and motivated minds to overcome these hurdles, help us break barriers and achieve new levels of innovation. Do you have what it takes to join a global organization that doesn’t shy away from big opportunities? If so, we invite you to join our ranks and create the next generation of aerospace technologies.

Together, we will nurture an engineering culture that values intellectual curiosity, risk takers and integrity. A place where we will challenge ourselves, our teams, and the status quo and where we will work to find a way – the right way – to achieve what others can only dream of.

At Collins, the paths we pave together lead to limitless possibility. And the bonds we form – with our customers and with each other -- propel us all higher, again and again.

As part of our commitment to maintaining a secure hiring process, candidates may be asked to attendselect steps of the interview process in-person at one of our office locations, regardless of whether the role is designated as on-site, hybrid or remote.

The salary range for this role is 86,800 USD - 165,200 USD. The salary range provided is a good faith estimate representative of all experience levels. RTX considers several factors when extending an offer, including but not limited to, the role, function and associated responsibilities, a candidate’s work experience, location, education/training, and key skills.Hired applicants may be eligible for benefits, including but not limited to, medical, dental, vision, life insurance, short-term disability, long-term disability, 401(k) match, flexible spending accounts, flexible work schedules, employee assistance program, Employee Scholar Program, parental leave, paid time off, and holidays. Specific benefits are dependent upon the specific business unit as well as whether or not the position is covered by a collective-bargaining agreement.Hired applicants may be eligible for annual short-term and/or long-term incentive compensation programs depending on the level of the position and whether or not it is covered by a collective-bargaining agreement. Payments under these annual programs are not guaranteed and are dependent upon a variety of factors including, but not limited to, individual performance, business unit performance, and/or the company’s performance.This role is a U.S.-based role. If the successful candidate resides in a U.S. territory, the appropriate pay structure and benefits will apply.RTX anticipates the application window closing approximately 40 days from the date the notice was posted. However, factors such as candidate flow and business necessity may require RTX to shorten or extend the application window.

RTX is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability or veteran status, or any other applicable state or federal protected class. RTX provides affirmative action in employment for qualified Individuals with a Disability and Protected Veterans in compliance with Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act and the Vietnam Era Veterans’ Readjustment Assistance Act.

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